Church Women United of Rochester & Vicinity
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Weeds  by Laura Hood

5/28/2019

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Spring is finally here. We made it through another winter, Praise God. I rejoice about the good weather even though we have many days of rain before the consistent warm weather of summer arrive. I notice new life around me, I see the first fragile leaves peeking out of the ground. I hear the buzzing of a bumblebee (my favorite bee) legs heavy with pollen, falling head first into violets.  Broken blue robin egg shells lay on the grass under the maple tree, evidence that a baby hatched. As I work in my garden, I see weeds. Yes, weeds start growing and they are everywhere. So being the good gardener, I think I am. I start pulling any and all weeds in my flower beds, vegetable garden, and my lawn.  I become obsessed then thoughtful. Weeds are not bad, they are plants doing what they are designed to do, grow. Weeds/plants have a purpose to propagate, provide food for animals and insects, and protect the ground. Sometimes if you are lucky, a plant begins to grow that you didn’t sew yourself, like the bountiful black raspberry bush in my back yard. I tell people God planted it.
 
As I ponder the purpose of the weeds in my garden, the tap root that grows deep, the one peeking out between my sidewalk, the one trying to grow up the side of my house, I realize that they are perfectly at home in my garden. They love it there and should I allow them to stay? No!  I rip the weeds out of the ground, believing I got it all. But a tender root, raw from the damage, silently repairs itself and grows back. I appreciate the strength of the smallest fragment of root left behind that will grow into something green and full of life. The cycle continues.
 
We all have those tender roots of faith buried deep inside of us. Should we allow that tiny fragment of faith to grab onto our soul and grow into something beautiful? The youth group have been talking about Faith and what that means.  Our group is digging down deep and exposing the bare earth of our heart. When the youth say “I’m afraid that God doesn’t hear me when I pray, or I’m not sure what or who God is or God seems distant and uncaring. What happens after we die?”.  We advisers say, you are not alone in this struggle to believe, that we also ask the same questions. When I look at the pleading faces of our youth, I see faith trying to squeeze through the cracks and reach toward the light.  I see the tap root growing deeper and wrapping it’s tendrils around the heart and soul. I see the vine creeping just along the surface, unnoticed and making it’s way on the landscape of a young life.  Each week, we fertilize this garden to strengthen the faith that has begun to grow. 
 
I remind them what Hebrews 11:6  says: and without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. It doesn’t say how much faith you need, just that you need some. It doesn’t say you have to know without a doubt that God exists. Just know there is a God and that he exists and seekers will be rewarded.  Each time we get together, we learn what the bible says about God. We listen to each other’s faith journey. We mediate and pray.  Faith grows.

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REST

3/7/2019

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Autumn in upstate NY is probably the most beautiful season of the year. Leaves change from green to vibrant reds, golds and orange. Nature paints unique masterpieces in ordinary backyards. These gorgeous scenes are signals about the coming weather. I dread this time of year. September is an unwelcomed guest. A guest, you know is coming but you secretly hoped would get the flu or their flight would be delayed, forever. Well, that does not happen.

Every September, since I was 23, I take time to evaluate my life. Am I happy?, Are the people in my life good for me? Am I a good friend? do I working too much? Do I pray enough?  Am I using my creative spirit? I try to combing through all the hidden parts of me. Sometimes, I can delay my personal inspection for a month or two but that is it. I do this to make my life richer and to minimize regret. I don’t enjoy it. 
 
This year, after I wrangled over my life. I quit a job that I worked hard to get, pulled strings, asked favors and I got what I asked for. I knew the job would be hard work and that I would sacrifice a part of my life but I never backed down because something is hard.
 
Slowly, began to realize that I was working too much. I didn’t have time or energy for the things I enjoy… knitting, gardening, cooking or spending time with my family and friends. I didn’t have a Sabbath day. I was lost in the work and pursuit of money. I was neglecting myself, my family, my friends and my Faith. So I quit. I needed rest.
 
In the creation story, we are told that after God created - God rested. We all know this story and barely need to think very hard to remember the details. But when we get to God rested, we gloss over it. Think about it, God stopped. At that moment, God created something else a blessing that requires us to do nothing. God created rest. We are supposed to work and then take time to rest. God’s blessing allows us to stop and smell the roses and enjoy life. Recover from the stress and burden of your lives. Taking time to allow yourself to rest is work. It is untrue that you are doing nothing when you rest. When you rest you are accepting God’s blessing.  God thought rest was so important that it is one of the Ten Commandments—“Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy”.  
 
Take a break from the news of the day, leave your email unchecked for a day or put your phone on the kitchen counter while you are at church(or anywhere). Listen to music, pray, Color in a coloring book, draw or watch birds at the park. Making time for rest and renewal is something we should take seriously. Rest allows us to recharge our bodies and your minds, recommit to our passions, recover energy for work and play. Rest heals us, mentally and physically. Create your own version of rest. Make it a habit.  On your next day off, allow the blessing of rest soak deep into your bones and into your soul.
 
Peace Laura Hood

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February 15th, 2019

2/15/2019

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Pentacost

5/23/2016

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Pentecost - We all have our own concept of the meaning of Pentecost.  Sometimes we Christians think it all began with us, forgetting that it is a Jewish idea.  Festival of weeks - fifty days after Passover.

Job, in answering one of his so-called friends, said, "As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter; as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; my lips will speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit."

Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." II Cor. 3:17-18.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all in the house where they were sitting. Acts 2:1-3.

Pentecost Sunday:  A Special Moment by Frederick Buechner

Who knows how the awareness of God's love first hits people?  Every person has his/her own tale to tell, including the person who would not believe in God if you paid him.  Some moment happens in your life that makes you say "Yes!" right up to the roots of your hair, that makes it worth having been born just to have happen.  Laughing with somebody til the tears run down your cheeks.  Waking up to the first snow.  Being in bed with somebody you love.  Whether you thank God for such a moment or thank your lucky stars, it is a moment that is trying to open up your whole life.  If you try to turn your back on such a moment and hurry along to business as usual, it may lose you the whole ball game.  If you throw your arms around such a moment and hug it like crazy, it may save your soul.  How about the person you know, who as far as you can possibly tell, has never had such a moment?  Maybe for that person the moment that has to happen is you.

~ Sally Dodgson 



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Hello out there!  Can you hear me?

5/18/2016

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​Hello out there!  Can you hear me?  I thought perhaps I could get your attention and ask you to consider a few questions.  
Did you know that we send out almost 300 newsletters each month?  If you read it, then you are up-to-date on all of our ministries as well as our scheduled monthly program celebrations (which are open to all).  

Do you read it but choose not to get involved?  Then sadly, you are missing out on some great opportunities.  Perhaps you tell yourself “I haven’t got time for this,” or maybe “it doesn’t fit into my schedule.”  I know that some of you are still employed, but we do offer at least one program event in the evening.  And, if for some reason you choose not to attend a program, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get involved in one or more of our ministries.  Perhaps you could order some books to help us bring the joy of reading to children in city schools, or when you shop for groceries, pick up some deodorant for a man or woman or even tooth paste to help fill our health bags.  Perhaps you knit or crochet and can make a lap robe.  Maybe you could even get your church involved in some of these things.  We’d be glad to pick items up if you can’t find a way to bring them into our office.  

If you want to see more things offered to meet your needs, call us, send an email, or write a note.  We’d be glad to listen and see what could be implemented.  Or, you could even come to one (or more) of our board meetings.  We meet the 3rd Friday of each month at Christ the Good Shepherd church on Winton Road.  You are always welcome.  

We put a lot of effort into preparing our newsletter and our monthly programs, but we find that very few of you are now participating.  We’d like to do even more in our community, but we can’t do it without you.  We are a great organization giving women a chance to join together in Christian fellowship and friendship.  So, please think about making an extra effort to rejoin our activities.  
​
~ Shirley London, President   
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May 07th, 2016

5/7/2016

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The Times They Are A-Changing

4/4/2016

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These are changing times. I am sure this is a phrase you have all heard at some point in your lives.  Times are always changing, but it seems with the addition of technology and the instant communities, and networked individualism, they are changing in more challenging ways than ever.  Not only does technology confuse some people, but it also requires one to keep up to date at such a rapid pace that it makes part of the population, who lag behind, want to give up instead of keep up.  

Throughout 2014-2015 I tried to find ways for Church Women United of Rochester to keep up instead of lag behind.  Some have been fruitful (the book drive with Rochester Education Foundation, meeting one on one with representatives of other organizations as potential partners) and some have not (MeetUps.com, reaching college aged students via Task Force on Courts).  At times the well-known adage “misery loves company” came to mind as we are surely not the only nonprofit organization to fall on difficult, taxing times.  Many of you know of churches that are closing, buildings that are being sold or congregations that are merging in hopes to revitalize.  However, misery is misery whether you are in good company or not.
I have met with several agents of institutions in hopes of collaborating through a common goal.  The book drive with Rochester Education Foundation (REF) was more of a success than we had hoped the first year (2014) due to the lack of time congregations had to get involved and collect books.  It is my hope for this book drive to gain momentum year after year.  And this would mean CWU will be known for this collection.  The sectional in September 2014 was a success as well.  Not only did each and every local attendant find it stimulating and inspiring, so did our sisters who traveled from down state.  The Sectional was a terrific way to show how CWU of Rochester IS alive and well, and that we can tap into a great neighboring resource such as the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and include such gems as Stephanie Sauvé to lift us up spiritually.  

Throughout all of this I have kept my ears and eyes open.  I have been working on opening my heart and mind to new ideas, as well as understanding how the recent global changes can affect CWU Rochester.  One of the many comments I hear over and over again is how the young people today have short attention spans, want instant everything, whether it is community, acceptance, appraisal, results, but the more discoveries I have made only dispel such assumed “facts”.  Grandparents are the fastest growing demographic on Twitter, the average PERSON has an attention span of :07 (for comparison a goldfish has :08), 93% of PEOPLE trust peer reviews and if Facebook were a country it would be the 3rd largest.  Nowhere in these statistics does it say young people.  More often than not, young people are targeted but look around.  We are missing an entire generational demographic at churches, social gatherings, etc.   The baby boomers!  
How do we tie all the social media statistics in with being a Christian organization?  Here is a quote from a fascinating book I have only just begun to read.  The first chapter has gripped me and has spelled out a lot of answers to recurring concerns.

“The boundaries for our understanding of what it means to seek the kingdom of God “on earth as it is in heaven” are radically and necessarily expanding.  This shift is not isolated to younger people.  People of all ages and cultural backgrounds are sensing a pull toward a spirituality that is more holistic, integrative and socially engaged.  In recent years increasing numbers of people have mentally “checked out” or physically left the Christian groups they have been part of because they have felt that these contexts are not actually helping them believe, belong or live better.  While it may be tempting or convenient to blame church leaders or structures for this, I believe this widespread dissatisfaction is a symptom of the larger challenges we face as a society.  Advances in technology, the explosion of information and increasing mobility have created a sense of disequilibrium and social fragmentation.  The church, along with every other social institution is grappling with how to thrive in a rapidly changing, always connected mobile and global culture.  A shifting consciousness also raises new questions about evangelism and Christian witness.  In a holistically-oriented culture, skeptical people are less convinced by purely rational arguments about why Christianity is true and more curious to see whether Christian belief and practice actually make a positive difference in the character of a person’s life.  In any culture, but especially in one that yearns for holistic integration, the most compelling argument for the validity of Christian faith is a community that practices the way of Jesus by seeking a life together in the kingdom of love (John 13:35). We can be frustrated by this gap and become critics, or be inspired by a larger vision of the kingdom and get creative.”1
 Church Women of Rochester has been keeping up.  Our organization is known.  We are out in the community.  So now all we need to do is keep up and not lag behind.  My hope is that each and every member of our movement will continue on with me.  Not only cheering me on as the Community Representative, but as an agent, a collaborator and an idea generator.  
“Practicing the Way of Jesus, Life Together in the Kingdom of Love by Mark Scandrette1

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